Best free antivirus / firewall software

Mistermeaner

HI the mcafee product that came bundled with my dell laptop 3 years is due to expire soon and they want £90something for 2 years subscription which seems steep to me

What is the best antivirus / firewall software to install to replace it - ideally free - I am well out of date with computer stuff but many years ago there were a number of decent free ones such a 'panda' and 'avg'

also is it straight forward enough to remove one anti virus software package via the control panel before installing another or does it take a bit more than that? 

Thanks

unforeseen

Use built in Windows Defender. Free and just as good

GrubbyGirl_2

I swap yearly between Norton and mcafee as you can usually find a good first year deal in them usually Amazon. 

Grey_Critic

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

I swap yearly between Norton and mcafee as you can usually find a good first year deal in them usually Amazon. 

Why pay for something whenyou can get it free. The majority of people on here will tell you Windows Defender is the software of choice.

[Deleted User]

Agree with a free solution - anti-virus software is becoming less relevant nowadays and is not as effective as it was in the past so don't pay for it.

The problem with most anti-virus is it is "after the event" detection - it usually can only tell you when you have already downloaded/executed malware. And it is not quick enough nowadays, a new vulnerability can be exploited across the world in a matter of hours, not long enough for AV software to be updated.

Surprisingly a lot of people on this forum talk about using out-of-support software such as Windows 7, Office 2010 etc because if it ain't broke don't fix it and then waste good money on AV software because the glossy webpages make them feel more secure.

But the number 1 best, easiest and cheapest defence against malware is keeping your system up to date with the latest updates/patches etc - not just your OS, all your software. And yes get on Windows 11 now for that extra level of hardening and enable all the security features.

Number 2 is click hygiene, whether on emails or websites, just think before you click and if not sure check the link out in something like virustotal.com

If you take risks or cannot easily determine things you shouldn't click, a nice strong ad blocker with malware/phishing blocking will help as well - uBlock Origin for example.

Most people suffer tangible losses through phishing / scams / social engineer nowadays and AV software can't really prevent all of that.

Mistermeaner

thanks, mcafee removed today and windows defender kicked in on its own after restart

i've checked for windows updates and all up to date so i guess thats it for now

ballyblack

McAfee (Spammer) paid your laptop manufacturer to get on there in the first place to exhort money from you!

GrubbyGirl_2

Grey_Critic said:

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

I swap yearly between Norton and mcafee as you can usually find a good first year deal in them usually Amazon. 

Why pay for something whenyou can get it free. The majority of people on here will tell you Windows Defender is the software of choice.

Good point, I didn't realise the Windows own security had improved so much.  When my McAfee expires do I just remove it and windows defender kicks in or does it have to be activated?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Good point, I didn't realise the Windows own security had improved so much.  When my McAfee expires do I just remove it and windows defender kicks in or does it have to be activated?

it should kick in when you remove McAfee, if not then,

Turn Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection on or off

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. ...
2. Switch the Real-time protection setting to Off and choose Yes to verify.

debitcardmayhem

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Good point, I didn't realise the Windows own security had improved so much.  When my McAfee expires do I just remove it and windows defender kicks in or does it have to be activated?

it should kick in when you remove McAfee, if not then,

Turn Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection on or off

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. ...
2. Switch the Real-time protection setting to Off and choose Yes to verify.

Surely you mean ON

GrubbyGirl_2

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Good point, I didn't realise the Windows own security had improved so much.  When my McAfee expires do I just remove it and windows defender kicks in or does it have to be activated?

it should kick in when you remove McAfee, if not then,

Turn Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection on or off

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. ...
2. Switch the Real-time protection setting to Off and choose Yes to verify.

Thank you that's very helpful